Heat transfer member



Aug. 19, 1952 v F. E. SANBORN 2,607,519

I I HEAT TRANSFER MEMBER Filed Nov. 22, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 'INVENTOR.

FRANK E SANBORN.

1952 F. E. SANBORN HEAT TRANSFER MEMBER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 22, 1946 INVENTOR. BY FRANK" E Samson/v.

. HZZya 'F. E. SANBORN 2,607,519

HEAT TRANSFER MEMBER Aug. 19, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet :5

Filed NOV. 22, 1946 & 7

INVENTOR. FRANK. E. Smyaomv.

Patented Aug. 19, 1952 Frank E. Sanborn, Chicago,'Ill., assignor to The Dole Valve Company, Chicago, 111., a corp'ora-v tion of Illinois Application November 22, 1946, Serial No. 711,486

' (Cl. Z2540) 2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in heat transfer members and in particular to heat transfer members of the type used in the cooling of carbonated liquid in a soft drink dispenser unit.

Heretofore it has been the practice to locate the cooling coil in dispenser units at the bottom of the cooling chamber and permit it to rest directly on the lower wall. Cracked ice or other suitable cooling medium is placed on top this coil, while the liquid to be cooled is forced through the coil.

This system has some disadvantages. It is evident that a substantial portion of the cooling coil is not in contact with the cooling medium due to it being in supporting contact with the lower wall of the chamber and as a consequence is not as efficient as is possible with the use of this I invention.

Another possible disadvantage of this system lies in the fact that dirt and foreign matter that enters the cooling chamber with the ice has a tendency to be deposited on the coils and form .an insulating coating thus lowering the cooling ability of the coil. Furthermore; it isextremely dimcult to clean the coils and the lower part of the cooling chamber'when the coils are resting on the bottom of the chamber since dirt becomes lodged around and between the coils. Proper cleaning can be accomplished only by disconnecting and removing the coils.

Accordingly, it is an object of this=invention to provide a cooling coil which cannot be reached by dirt and foreign matter in the cooling chamber.

It is another object of this invention to pro.

, It is another and further object of this inven.-=

tion to provide a heat transfer member that has relatively fiat surfaces" and therefore is easily cleaned in place.

It is another and still further object of this invention to provide a heat transfer member that may be easily removed as a unit for repair or inspection.

According to the general features of this invention, the liquid to be cooled is directed through coils cast in an aluminum block which is cooled c "2 a by cracked ice and ice water surrounding it on all sides, the top and the bottom.

An important feature of this invention is the provision of support legs which hold the aluminum block in spaced relation to the bottom wall of the cooling chamber.-

In accordance with the general features of this invention there is also provided in aheat transfer unit for use in a refrigeration device such as a dispenser including a casing having a dispensing head an exteriorly cooled block having a coil therein for conducting fluid to be cooled, said block having means for attaching it to said head and means for supporting it in spaced relation to said casing so that coolant can be disposed about said block and between said block and a side of said casing supporting same.

Other objects and features of this invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational View, partly in section and partly broken away, of a cooling plate embodying the features of this invention mounted inside the casing of a dispenser unit.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary end elevation of the cooling plate of this invention showing the plate connected to a dispenser head.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view, partly broken away and partly in section of a dispenser unit ineluding a heat transfer member embodying, the

features of this invention.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line IV- IV of Figure 1. Y I

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line V-V of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line VI- 7 VI of Figure 3.

' Figure '7 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section and partly broken away,-of the heat transfer member of this invention installed in a dispenser unit.

As shown on the drawings:

The heat transfer member of this invention comprises a plate on block l0 into which has been cast a cooling coil including an inlet connection l I, a-tube l2 wound in flat, oval coils, and an outlet connection l3 (Figure 3) The block I0 may be made of any material having highthermal conductivity characteristics. In a preferredembodiment an aluminum block is used. For the purpose of holding the block out of contact with the lower wall of the cooling chamber, there is cast integral with the block [0 two support legs Illa which project downwardly from the block near one end thereof. These support legs rest on an inner lower wall I5a of an insulated dispenser casing I5. At the opp site end, the block I0 is supported by a semicircular projection IOb which dovetails into a portion of an annular groove I ia of a dispenser head assembly' l kwhich is a sormounted -inside the casing" I adjacent the cooling chamber. The upper surface Illc of the block I0 is smooth and flat. The lower surface IIld has a cut-out portion We at each of three corners while the-fourth corner has a downwardly extending portion ID to accommodate the outlet-connection l 3; 'There is also provided on the lower"surface-*Iildthre reinforcing ribs lflg.

It is to be noted that, prior to bein'gc'castinthe aluminum block, the coils of tubing are secured, as by spot-welding, to three guide strips lfi; I1 and I8. As seen in Figure 4, these strips fit uhd'erneathi the coils 'and two of themg' strips I6 and I1, have upturn'ed ends tfiwand L'la while sti'ip 'lii has a downturned end lsa When the -coils *are secured on' the -strip's 'the coilssembly is a-compact unit and the u pturned and dowm turned ends may be used as a guideto' the -depth 5- ofth-mold to be used in theca'sting operation.

At theend of th block I 0' adj'acenir';the dis- -pensei--'-'head= asserribly I 4 th'ere is "providedan outwardly xtending member n which is cast fa-s aa- -ntegmr art f- 'th'e block llL This membef zll compris'es a 'web 2fla enclosed on its -two des 'b si downwardly "projecting arms- 201mm at outer end by 9;- dow'nwaidly proj e'cting crossfemb'er" 20a. -'-;As'-=--previously mentioried, this cross meinbef '2Ila-includesa seini circular projectioi-i Ill tr whichhas a supporting connection in t-he"'"dispenserhead unit 14i -The'* oute1 =end of he-i-membei fl has twdholes 2=0d iFigure*3) -therein adaptedto receive a -tapp'ed -pivot mem ber 2|. A flared' passag i fle c'onnectslthe pivot ""'iriemb'ei"2i t6 the fiutsidebf the' merribei w. A apscr-ew 22 isi-nsrt'ed'throughaholein a= iiange M di thfiispensr head assembly I4 and-isthen -screwed into the= pivot-*=-membe1 2 I "This -arrangement provides a self-adjusting pivotal connct-ion o'f block 1 0 to thedispenser he'ad asseml w 5 v By casting the -cdoling-tube -in a metalblock haract'eristicsi I have-provided a -heat tra'nsier meinbeft' hi'ch will very efiic'iently' cool the liq'uid in the tubing. It willbera'dflytappreciated that, sincethe" coolingin'edium completely surrounds v the aluminum block except where thesupport legs Tna contact -the' insulated lowerwall ahdf'where the block is supported adjacent the dispenser ""head =as'serribly zllfthere is-little chance that the cooling effect of the block will be wasted -onany i1' 'tsi-de**meiniier. 7 Itvifillthereiore fliciently rahsfer th heat' o Ft-h* liquid-'-to= the cooling medium.

For convenience in conne'cting the in1et* connection to a source of- -thal-idiiid to-be edoled the '---'-"iiilet me'mber-l I "Fi l 5 has a loweryli'ndrieal portion -I "I a which exte'nd's down through *the plat 0. 1 =An'--Onening -'-'I I b 'isad'apted to receive any 'suitable' removakble connection. as -for example a connectof23-having a fixible seal rin 23 a which -wilP sal the opening I I b u-poninsertior' i" herein. Nohamber I-lc-ir i the inlet member I* c0mmunic2iteS- With theGolmEGtOi 23 and also with the cooling tube l 2 which is conne'cted the -member II at Hd.

-'- -I-n-'order tha'ta'liduid passing -thr'ougha coolingcoil be cool when it leaves the coil, it is necessary that its path of travel be relatively long. In the present invention this is accomplished by locating the inlet member II near the center of the 5 plate I0 and winding the tube I2 in close oval shaped coils. Normally, any inlet connection would interfere with the uniform spacing of the cooling coils "and. cause wasted spaceiiri the plate. Howeveri'in this invention the-inletmember II 10 (Figure 1) is cast into the built-up lower portion lOh of the plate I0 and the tubing IZa adjacent t-he in1et-member II is sloped upwardly in this portion IIlh until it reaches the level of the rest nf-"the coil.

aifter'being wound in a number of coils suit able 'to"provide"sufficient cooling surface for the liquidpthetubing: I2 is connected into the outletfitting I3 at an opening I3a in a chamber I3b (Figure 6). A strainer member 24, having an enlarged lower shoulder 24a, is positioned im- ::niediatelysbelowzthe:,chamberxlfibron. alseat- I aprovided iniat'hew outlet: :fitting 2! 3. 11-: The strainer 24 .is: securely; :held: on :thiseseati I:3 or by a c p 2 5 anwhich is screwed lintoiwthe member :I 3Iand: which 25::has ax lower =central sopening fia zadapted to fit ri 'overi the strainer 24w'and'iurge? it: upwardly. 'i- As fanroutlet means; athrea-ded-nonnection :Z'I is se- -1 zcured to the 1 outlet fitting :iI 3 -at-Z I'3 ;*F-i

This threaded .connectionflialso extends outside ao thelplatewslll-as shown in Figure 3. :In; operation the liquid enters the outlet fitting;I3'--zat;-"I3a, passes-'downithrough. strainer M: anditheni'leaves thefitting at-l3d and epasseszinto the outletrcon- 1 irnection- 21. :The threaded-"cap:25'1provides a con- -venient :means .:'of :removing::the strainer :12 4:: for

snperiodicicleaning.

For r. the?- purpose zoftzt-ransf'erring :izheyscooled liquid from the coils to the dispenser headi'assem- 'fublyrl lg attube:28 .is suitably :COIIIIQCIZEdiaI'rT-OIIB end 0:;ito..=the'zout1et threaded: connection ZIarand at-the other;en ito an-iinletrmemberd940i rthe'fdispenser 'rhead' assembly II 4.

i My inventi'on is putiintotoperationzinithe fol- 10wing-t-mariner. 'The'la'luminum: plate? I b-withthe :cooling'coi-l assemblyacastt-into it; is secured to v:the

dispenser headassemblyzl liiby .meanstof the capi screws' 22; aafteri'ithe projection llflbiof the i'p'late 'l It has been positioned in'fthe: groovel 4a :of" the z'ai'dispenser .head assemblyl Thetransferstubi 28 is then secured' to ftheroutlet is'crew':connection 21 "eandto *.the;inlet memberzz 910i rthe" dispenserzhead. This :combined" assembly isithen :placeditbo dily :insi'de the insulatediidispenseril casing. :15. "ZIAS shown in Figure 7, the dispenser head assembly 5 14 rests-'omthe casing I5;:1being:supportedxby a r-rshoulder 14b. Thfi'ifplateii lfiiis supported 1101'! its twotlegsci flaa-andfthednlet connection I I is pofsitioned oveit'rthecconnector 23.

A suitable-cooling; medium :such: as crackediice is' placed fonztop'of the block-t l 0, around the sides, -wand, as .far: as possiblemnderneath: the block. As =soo'n1as the ice 'begin'si-to:meltgtheicold ice water wnror course completely surround the block.

The carbonated liquid enters the coils-at the inlet connection underJpreSSure-Land is circulated through-the? :coils. :"By: thea'itime' it: reaches the outlet connection I3 itshaszbeen" cooled off suiiiciently to be transferred through the tube28 to the-dispenser head where it is mixed'with flavoringand-iserved'as a c'old drink. Thistrapid cool- "ing isidueitothelen'gth' of the coil and to-thefact that the ice will cool the aluminum block and it e .rin turnfiwill quickly-' coolwthe liquid in the coils.

is in contact with the cooling aluminum block.

In this way a most efiicient and rapid cooling of the liquid is accomplished.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of tlus invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a drink dispenser unit, a casing forming I a refrigerating chamber to receive a coolant, a dispensing head mounted in said casing and having a valve therein for the dispensing of mixed refrigerated drinks, a cooling block within said casing and adapted to support and be surrounded by the cooling medium, said block being substantially fiat on each side thereof and having a flat wound coil embedded therein for conducting fluid to be cooled to said dispensing head and valve, and means supporting said cooling block in generally parallel spaced relation with respect to the bottom of said casing with a relatively free, unimpeded space between the bottom of said block and the bottom of said casing comprising two widely spaced support legs at one end of said block engageable with the bottom of said casing and a yoke projecting from the opposite end of said block and having a recessed portion spaced in advance of said block having interengagement with said dispensing head, and supporting said other end of said block above the bottom of said casing.

2. In a drink dispenser, a casing forming a refrigerating cabinet to receive a coolant, a dispensing head mounted in said casing adjacent one end thereof and having a valve therein for dispensing a mixed refrigerated drink, a cooling block relatively flat and unimpeded on each side and spaced above and extending along the bottom of said casing in generally parallel spaced relation with respect thereto and having co-planar looped coils embedded therein for conducting fluid to be cooled to said dispenser head, an inlet fitting near the center ofsaid block adjacent one end thereof, said coil having an inlet end sloping downwardly from the center of said block toward said one end of said block for connection with said inlet fitting, an outlet fitting adjacent the outer side of said block at the end thereof adjacent said inlet fitting, said coil having an outlet end connected to said outlet fitting, a tube connecting said outlet fitting to said dispensing'head and the valve therein, and means for spacing said block above the bottom of said casing and providing a relatively free, unimpeded surface between the bottom of said block and the bottom of said casing comprising two widely spaced support legs at the end of said block opposite from said dispensing head and inlet and outlet fittings and engageable with the bottom of said casing, a yoke projecting from said block in advance of said outlet fitting and. having interengagement with said dispensing head, a securing member partially encircling the opposite side of said dispensing head from said yoke, and means securing said securing member to said yoke in abutting engagement therewith and securing said yoke and cooling block to said dispensing head.

FRANK E. SANBORN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 948,252 Russell Feb. 1, 1910 1,077,368 Plony -2 Nov. 4, 1913 1,662,267 Horner Mar. 13, 1928 1,776,307 Bosque Sept. 23, 1930 1,847,573 Rupp Mar. 1, 1932 2,121,841 Tweed June 28, 1938 2,241,426 Sherwood May 13, 1941 2,349,441 Lund May 23, 1944 2,420,708 Hutsell May 20, 1947: 2,466,676 Boling Apr. 12, 1949 

